Wheel cover



April 19, 1960 G. A. LYON WHEEL COVER Filed Dec. 14. 1956 rillhwHlJillH United StateslfPatent O 2,933,348 WHEEL COVER George Albert Lyon, Detroit, Mich. Application December 14, 1956, Serial No. 628,290 4 Claims. (Cl. 301-37) This invention relates generally to Wheel structures and more particularly to an ornamental wheel cover member for overlying protective retained disposition upon the outer side of a vehicle wheel.

An important object of this invention is, to provide a new and improved wheel cover construction having nevir and improved means for maintaining the cover member in detachable interlocked assembly upon a vehicle wheel.

Another object of this invention is to provide a wheel cover which may be pressed to shape eliminating trimming of the blank with the exception of the linger terminals.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new and Jimproved Wheel cover member which lends itself to economical manufacture on a large production basis since the cover may be made from a blank substantially reduced in size.

According to the general features of this invention there is provided in a wheel structure, including rim andbody parts and including an intermediate rim iange terminating in on outer terminal margin, a dished cover section for overlying retained disposition upon the wheel with an outer margin extending outwardly for overlying the terminal margin, an annular shoulder at the inner periphery of the margin, the cover margin being underturned providing a substantially reduced generally lradial annular cover portion, and radially and axially elongated circumferentially spaced resiliently deflectable retaining extensions emanating from the reduced cover portion and having an intermediate portion bottomed against said shoulder, the extension having resiliently deectable terminal portions fulcrumed on the shoulder to augment the resiliency of the terminal and for detachable retaining engagement with the intermediate rim flange. Other objects and features of the present invention will more fully become apparent in view of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings illustrating therein several embodiments and in which:

Figure 1. is a side elevation of my wheel structure;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line iI-II of Figure l looking in the direction indicated by the arrow;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation of my wheel cover; and

Figure 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 only illustrating a modified wheel cover construction.

A wheel cover according to the present invention is constructed and arranged to be applied in press-on, pry-off relation to the outer side of the vehicle wheel which may be of the conventional type having a disk `spider wheel body 11 c-arrying a multi-llange drop center tire rim 12 whlch rim `has a generally radially outwardly extending intermediate ange 13 terminating in an outer rim margin including an axially extending terminal rim flange 14.

The body part 11 is adapted to be bolted onto the axle of -a vehicle wheel in a conventional manner, such as by directing lugs through wheel openings 15 in the `body part and thereafter threading nuts onto the lugs to clamp the body part to the axle.

The tire rim is adapted to support a pneumatic tire and tube assembly, or a tubeless tire 16 as is shown in Figure 2. For inilating the tire, the tire is provided with a valve stem 17 which extends through cover opening 18 as is shown in Figure 1 so as tot be accessible from the outer side of the wheel.

The wheel cover 10 comprises a one piece sheet metal stamped and drawn circular body having a central crown portion 20 for overlying a central portion of the wheel body 11 and merging with an intermediate annular inwardly dished portion 21 comprising an axially inwardly extending part from which extends generally radially and axially outwardly an outwardly bulged convexly curved outer annular marginal portion or radially outer marginal part 22 for overlying the tire rim 12. At the junction of the portions 21 and 22 is provided an axially inwardly indented reinforcing rib or insetting portion 23 which is disposed generally opposite the retaining means.

The outer margin 22 is underturned to provide a continuous annular generally axially outwardly bulged convexly curved annular portion 24. The annular portion 24 is nestingly engaged against the inner face of the cover margin 22 and is radially reduced. in dimension (Figure 3). It will be appreciated that by reducing the dimension of the annular flange portion 24 a smaller blank size may be used thus reducing manufacturing costs. Also, since no trimming of the ange portion 24 is required production costs may be further substantially reduced.

New and improved means are provided for press-on, pry-ott retention of the cover on the wheel. To this end, the underturned outer marginal portion 24 has integrally formed therewith resiliently deilectable circumferentially spaced retaining extensions 25. The portion 24 and the extensions 25 comprise a generally ring-shaped portion carried by the annular cover portion or cover 1i). The extension 25 has a rigid generally radially extending curved portion 26 which is convexedly curved and nestingly engages against the inner face of the curved margin 22 with the portion 26 being rigid until it extends free of the cover at the annular rib 23. Connected to the radially inner end of the extension portion 26 is a generally radially and axially inwardly elongated resiliently deflectable portion 27. The portion 27 is curved so that it smoothly blends with the curvature of the portion 26. The portion 26 and the elongated deectable portion 27 are disposed in concentric arcs having the same midpoint. Disposed at the axially inner end of the flange portion 27 are a series of return bent short stiff terminals 2S separated by notches and which terminals have edges 29 which are adapted to engage in edgewise relation with the intermediate rim flange 13 on the tire rim 12.

To augment the resiliency of the retaining means, the flange portions 27 are bottomed at 30 against the annular rib 23.

The cover may be assembled withrespect to the wheel by initially aligning the valve stem 17 with respect to the cover opening 18, then upon the application of an axially inward force, the short stiff terminals 28 may be caused to be biased as they are cammed along the intermediate rim flange 13 with the intermediate flange portion 27 fulcrumed at 3i) against the rib 23 until the cover 10 is in retaining engagement on the Wheel.

Any suitable number of retaining extensions 25 may be provided although it will be appreciated four of the extensions will be adequate and they may be formed from the corners of the blank from which the cover is formed. i

When the cover is in assembly upon the wheel the underturned annular portion 24 is bottomed against the terminal rim ange 14 so as to provide a positive abutthe-'lineare Vdirected against they outer marginof the cover the retaining means will not be readily dislodged` nor distorted ,with respect to the tire rim.

Tire'- cfe'v'er they "be removedi'froni th'ewneet 'by insertin etween the coverand 'the fire rima pry-offrant and upon'eieting' a Vpry-oil force' the cover maybe ejected freni the wheel. A The reference nnnieral 40'indicat'es generally the lmodified cover shown in Figure 4. The cover 40 `is very similar to tlieeoifer 'and inelrdes .a dished annular coverportin 41 "comprising "an vaxially Vinwardly extending part which is connected atits radially outer periphery to a yc'vofnvexly curved covermargin or radially 'outer marginal part 42. At the junction ofthe cover portion 4r with Athe `margin 42 is 'provided-an annular radially and axially 'inwardly indented Yannular rib or insetting portion 43.

yThe cover margin 42'is u'nderturned to `form a contiriil'ous annularunderturnedmarginaly portion 44 which is redirc'ed"in radial vdimension the same as the correspondportion' 2'4 in thenrstform of my invention. Y 'Disposedat the'ra'dially inner end ftheunderturned portion 44 are provided circumferentially spaced retainfingV extensions 145. The portion 44 and the extensions 45*V comprise fa LAgenerally ring-shaped portion carried by fthfe'annlar cover portion or cover 40. Each of the retaining extensions 45 includes a dished convexly curved retaining' portion 46 which is in nested abutting engagenient against the inner face of the' cover margin 42 with the rigidity in the retaining extensions extending out generally'to 'the rib 43. Generally at the rib 43, the retaining extension 45` is stepped radially inwardly through the pijo- 'visin of a'fradially extending portion 47. Connected at the radially and axially inner end `of the portion 47 is van intermediate Vresiliently deilectable elongated flange portion 48 which ange portion terminates in a series ofretrn bent terminals 49 in much the same manner "asl shoiwnin'ligure The terminals 49 each terminate in edges 50 for edgewise biting engagement with the rim flange'lS. 'the cover Y40 is assembled with Vthe Wheel, the edges 50 are'p'rogressively denected along the inner 'faire' of the rim an'ge 13 until the junction of the retain- Ving lpo'rtionsk4`6 and 47 is bottomed against the tire rim. `Itw`ill be appreciated the resiliently deflectable portion 48 Vis flcrmed on the rib 43 thereby stinening the portion '4S and augmenting the resilient deflectability of the retaining Vextension 45. Y

i will be appreciated the cover 40 may be assembled vand removedfrom the vehicle wheel in much the same nianner'as in the case of the cover 10. Thejcover 40 differs from the cover 10 in that the rib 43 is positioned further' radially and axiallyloutwardly than the rib `23. nAlso, the retaining extensions 45 are stepped to permit the yextension;portions 48 and 49 to extend suiciently radially inwardly so Aas to be capable of gripping biting engagement with the rim ange 13.

In both cases', the retaining extensions extend almost out to the outer tip 'of the respective cover margins 22 and 42 with the annular underturned flange area being substantially reduced to reduce cost. In both cases to augment the resilient deflectability of the retaining extensions they extensions are intermediately bottomed against a rib on the cover. j

It will be understood that modihcations and variations 'may be effected without departing from the spirit and stiopeofthe novel kconcepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention;

, 1. :In a coverfor disposition at the outer side of a vefhi'c'le wheel including a wheel body and a tire ritn having fa' radially inwardly facing annular flange, an annular efoiie'r portion for overlying the tire rim and having a radially outer lmarginal part thereof extending generally radially inwardly for `overlying the rim flange and an axially'inw'ardly extendingpart for disposition'in generally teles'oped radially inwardly spaced relation to the 'rim inrent'so'lat`ifvsinipaet forces developed in curbing and sans, sin saturar esta 'petten naar 'intermediate thereofV and adjacent juncture-of the axiallyandradially extending parts thereof an insetting portionby which at least the major extent of said axially extending part is inset substantially relative to the contiguous portion of the radially extending part, anda cover retaining structure carried by said annular cover portion and comprising a generally vring shaped portion disposed in nested relation behind said radially extending part and with cover retaining resilient fingers rextending generally axiallyinwardly `opposite vsaidinset portion and projecting beyondV said insetting portion, said inset portion thereby remaining'fspaced radiallyinwardlyfrointhe ngers Vandjenabling l juncture of the insett'ingportion'and the radial'partpij viding'a cover shoulder which shoulder is ldisposed"` ra dially and axially outwardly ofthe intermediate rim a'nge for bottomed engagementwith the tire rim, thengrs each including aradial portion disposed radially inwardly of the cover'sh'oulder and with the radial portionro'fthe 'finger beinghbacled up'by the insetting portion. Y:

3. The cover of claim I jfurthe'r characterize'd'byltlic tire rim including a terminal rim flange an'dfbyth'e 'annular cover portion being "underturned at its radially outer margin and with lthe cover retaining structure con p rising anintegral underturned extension ofthe annular cover.portionth'e underside of the annular. cover portieri Vbeing bottomed against the terminal rim flange Vaxially outwardly ofthe radially facing flange on the tire rirn.`

4. yln a wheel structure including rim and bodypa'rts and including an intermediate rim flange terminatin'g'in an outer terminal margin, a one-piece wheel cover for overlying retained disposition upon the wheel, said cover fhaving an annular/(lished area and an outer margin extending outwardlyfor overlying the terminal margin, the

vannular dished area and the outer margin beingjoi'ed by an'insetting cover portion, an annular radially facing cover shoulder at the inner periphery of the margin `delined by the juncture of the lmargin with the insetting `lcover portion, said cover margin being underturned providing a substantially reduced Ygenerally radial annular cover portion disposed radially and axially outwardly of said annular radially facing cover shoulder, andradially and axiallyelongated circumferentially spacedresiliently deflectable retaining extensions emanating'from said reduced coverportion and said extensions including gripping edges for biting cooperation with the rim ange axially inwardly and radially outwardly of said annular radially facing cover shoulder, said extensions having'an intermediate portion bottomed against said annular lradially facing cover shoulder, said extensions havingresiliently deectable terminal lportions spaced fromuthe Vcover having its axially outer end fulcrumed on saidannular radially facing covershoulder in close proximityto Asaid gripping edgesto augment the resiliency ofthe terminal portions and for detachable retaining'engagement with the vintermediate rim flange.

'y References YCited `inthe tileV of Ythis patent UNITED STATES PATENTS '2,279,333 Lyon Apr. 14, 1942 2,544,705 Lyon t'. Mar. 13, 1951 

